Mr Darcy - Through the Looking Glass

by D.B. Thomas, Marjan de Jonge (Illustrator)

“Mr Darcy – Through the Looking Glass” delves into the minds of Jane Austen’s characters in “Pride and Prejudice” through their diaries. Now a dying art, diaries in Jane Austen's time were safe places for the heart and soul where deepest secrets could be written, where the puzzles of life and love could be explored, where heartbreak could be accepted, where the agitated spirit could be calmed and where loss could be assuaged through hope. What might those diaries reveal from the minds of Mr Darcy, Miss Elizabeth Bennet and others who were at the heart of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"?

I have imagined that Mr Darcy discovered love long before he knew what it was, becoming acquainted with a young lady in a chance meeting. He is a man envied and admired for his circumstance, an icon of wealth and privilege. But life is rarely as perfect as it appears to the uninitiated, and tragedy or near tragedy is a constant companion. He is considered proud and cold by those who do not know him. He has few friends, and he has an implacable enemy who would take everything from him. But with all the challenges he faces, Darcy cannot forget his first acquaintance with that young lady. He must find her again.

392 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 20, 2026

About the author

Thomas Hamby, writing as D.B. Thomas, is an actor, writer and retired diplomat born in Tennessee, USA, of English and Scottish heritage. He divides his time between Florida and Finland with his Finnish-born spouse.

A passionate devotee of Jane Austen and British Period Drama, Thomas was drawn into the world of Regency fiction when the television series Sanditon Season 1 was released in 2019. Captivated by the unfinished story Jane Austen left behind, he set out to complete it as he imagined she might have written it — and Sanditon on Reflection was born. It was published in Italian as Ricordi di Sanditon

A retired diplomat of distinction, Thomas has had the honour of meeting three United States Presidents, several foreign heads of state and was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth — with whom he enjoyed a memorable conversation about the importance of agriculture to civilization.

He is a proud member of the Jane Austen Society UK and a devoted advocate for keeping Austen's legacy alive through contemporary Regency fiction.

Find all his books on Amazon: amazon.com/stores/D-B-Thomas/author/B...

Follow on Instagram: @db_thomas_hamby

Read on Booksie: booksie.com/users/db-thomas-288777

Learn more on my webpage: https://thomashambyauthor.com/

Reviews

[Ree · Rating 3 out of 5]

More Chronicle than Conversation
This is an audiobook review:
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Elizabeth Grace’s performance is faultless as usual. I always enjoy her voice(s) immensely, so brava!

This book began in an interesting manner, with the Darcy parents and a young Fitzwilliam stopping at an inn in Meryton and seeking someone knowledgeable to look at a lame horse. Longbourn is mentioned, so the two Mr Darcys go there while Mrs Darcy rests, being unwell. Darcy meets a fourteen-year-old Elizabeth for the first time.

The author introduces several light twists from canon involving Wickham, Mrs Younge and Georgiana, and even Lady Catherine and Sir Lewis. But then he begins what I found more like a chronicle involving the thoughts and reflections of nearly every major character. With so many perspectives, the reader is continually moving back and forth in the timeline. For me, this felt like I was constantly going backwards as the progression and flow of the story got disrupted, making the book feel much longer than it needed to be—99 chapters plus an epilogue.

There is barely any dialogue in some chapters, and when there is, it is often Austen quotations or paraphrased Austen quotations. As a result, I found the book rather dull overall. Even many of the early deviations from canon eventually seemed to circle back towards familiar territory.

One thing I was left wondering about: Darcy senior is Sir Robert Darcy, but we’re never told how he became titled. Minor errata regarding address included: Lady Anne is referred to in places as Lady Darcy. Collins incorrectly refers to Miss Lucas as Miss Charlotte.

I am truly struggling to understand what so many five-star reviewers found so admirable. If you enjoy variations that stick almost entirely to Austen’s dialogue and favour a heavily narrative style, you will like it. However, if you prefer a dialogue-rich, Pride and Prejudice variation where Elizabeth and Darcy spend time actually conversing and building a relationship on the page, this one may not be for you.

I truly wanted to like this book, but in the end, it was just okay. I let out a long breath when I finally reached the last chapter.

[Tonia Serrao · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my greatest pleasures in life has been to know the works of Jane Austen. One of my greatest disappointments, has been to know that Austen will never write again.
Since turning the last page of Chapter Eleven of the incomplete novel, Sanditon, I’ve been searching for what might assuage my thirst for more of the vivid, relatable characters, complex, subtle plots, and masterful Regency era storytelling.
Many are the sequels that I read in an attempt to fill the gaps, complete the picture, and bring me back to the romantic world of Jane Austen, and in particular, my favourite of her works, Pride and Prejudice.
Finally, I may have found just that sequel!
Mr Darcy Through The Looking Glass, by DB Thomas, captured my attention from the start. I loved the idea that this novel would take a story that I so loved, and reimagine it from the perspective of Austen’s main character, Mr Darcy!
Glory be!
Who of us, has not fallen in love with literature’s most proud, arrogant, and aloof character; the handsome and intelligent Mr Darcy? We abhorred his arrogance at the start of Austen’s novel, but we came to know him and love him by the end. Mainly, we discovered his true nature through the author’s telling us of his selfless acts.
Now, DB Thomas through his ingenious retelling, reveals a behind-the-scenes look of this wonderful character. Mr. Darcy Through The Looking Glass presents us with all the unsaid elements of human nature; Darcy’s fears, insecurities, feelings, everything we might have assumed but didn’t know for sure, are explored so eloquently, and all while staying true to the author. DB Thomas gifts us a story of love, and self-discovery. We learn of his parents’ death, his struggles to manage Pemberley and protect his sister.
There is an immense amount of research in Thomas’ work; the language, expressions, turns of phrase, place us easily in the same Regency era world of Austen. The book reads easily and Thomas grabs your attention just enough to make you want to keep going.
What I loved the most of Mr Darcy Through the Looking Glass is that now suddenly I saw and considered Mr. Darcy’s side of things; knowing his thoughts and feelings annulled the imbalance of power between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Now it all made sense.
What a novel and brilliant idea.
Mr. Darcy Through the Looking Glass must be read if you love Pride and Prejudice. A worthy sequel!

[Gabriella Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the quiet frustrations for lovers of Jane Austen is knowing that her voice left the literary world far too soon. After reaching the final unfinished pages of Sanditon, many readers begin searching for stories that can capture even a small part of her charm and insight.
That search often leads to the world of JAFF. Some stories entertain, some attempt to recreate Austen’s tone, but occasionally a book appears that truly feels connected to her spirit.
Mr Darcy Through the Looking Glass offers exactly that experience. By telling the story through Darcy’s private reflections, the novel allows readers to understand the man behind the proud exterior. His grief after losing his parents, his determination to protect Georgiana, and the enormous responsibility of managing Pemberley all shape his behavior in ways we never fully saw before.

[Goodness · Rating 5 out of 5]

The loneliness portrayed in this story is what truly stayed with me. Darcy has everything society admires , wealth, status yet internally he feels isolated. The contrast between his public strength and private fragility is powerful. It reminds us that strength does not mean the absence of fear.The tone of the book is reflective and mature. It doesn’t rush ,It doesn’t dramatize unnecessarily. Instead, it lingers in emotion. It allows us to sit with longing, doubt, and quiet hope. That restraint makes the story feel sincere rather than exaggerated.

[Anna G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a woman who has cherished Pride and Prejudice for most of my life, I did not open this book lightly. Mr. Darcy is not just a fictional man to many of us, he represents restraint, devotion, growth, and the rare kind of love that deepens rather than dazzles. So when I began Mr Darcy – Through the Looking Glass, I carried both protectiveness and high expectation. What I found was something unexpectedly moving.

[Contact Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is something about a book that delves into the minds of Jane Austen's characters through their diaries that stays with you. That line about how diaries in Jane Austen's time were safe places for the heart and soul where deepest secrets could be written, where the puzzles of life and love could be explored, where heartbreak could be accepted I have thought about it more than once since. Not as gimmick. As intimacy. The kind that settles in quietly and does not leave.

[Mike M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The diary format is the soul of this book. It transforms Darcy from a distant, composed gentleman into a breathing, conflicted man. Reading his private reflections feels almost intrusive as if we are witnessing thoughts never meant to be shared. And that intimacy is powerful. There is something deeply human about seeing a man who is admired by society yet quietly burdened by memory and longing.

[Drey H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll admit, I do not expect this book to affect me the way it did. Revisiting a character like Mr. Darcy can easily feel unnecessary, like stepping into territory that is already been perfectly written. But this don't feel like an intrusion. It felt like being handed the private thoughts of a man who was never meant to explain himself.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

What touched me most was the tenderness woven into his emotional awakening. The suggestion that his heart was stirred long before he understood love adds such depth to his character. It made me see him not as proud or cold, but as guarded , a man who feels deeply yet struggles to show it. That vulnerability is what caught me.

[Ruelle Drave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea that love may have touched him long before he understood it adds such aching tenderness to his story. It made me see his pride differently. It no longer felt like arrogance. It felt like protection, like a man trying to keep his emotions safe because he does not yet know how to carry them openly. That vulnerability is what touched me most.

[Eleanor Whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel offers something rare: intimacy. Through the imagined diaries, Darcy is no longer simply the composed master of Pemberley. He becomes a son shaped by loss, a brother burdened by responsibility, and a man quietly wrestling with pride and vulnerability. His emotional life is given room to breathe.

[Victoria Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

I also appreciated how the book explores betrayal, especially through Wickham. The sense of personal hurt runs deeper here, and you can feel how much Darcy struggles with both anger and restraint. It made his later actions particularly in protecting Elizabeth’s family , feel less like grand gestures and more like quiet devotion.

[Daniel Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

What struck me most is how clearly you feel the pressure on Darcy’s shoulders. Losing both parents so young, inheriting Pemberley before he is emotionally ready, protecting Georgiana while barely understanding his own grief, this version of him feels solid and human. His pride isn’t vanity here. It’s discipline. It’s self-control forged out of necessity.

[Ava Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I’m going through these pages, I keep thinking: this is the Darcy we never got to see. The one who doubts himself. The one who feels awkward around Elizabeth. The one who regrets his mistakes and actually sits with that regret. It’s not dramatic or exaggerated, it’s quiet and honest. And that honesty is what makes it powerful.

[Zoe Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly didn’t expect it to hit me this way. Seeing Darcy lose his parents so young and suddenly carry the weight of Pemberley makes him feel incredibly real. His pride doesn’t come across as arrogance anymore , it feels like a young man trying to hold himself together when everything around him is shifting. It’s making me see him in a completely different light.

[Lily Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I’m noticing as I read is how slowly and naturally his growth unfolds. His first proposal is proud and flawed, and you can feel Elizabeth’s hurt. But you also feel his realization afterward. He doesn’t stay defensive, he reflects. He changes. That shift feels real. It’s not instant. It’s uncomfortable. And that’s why it works.

[Mia Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing Wickham’s betrayal through Darcy’s perspective changes everything. It’s not just conflict, it’s someone he grew up with turning against him. That kind of betrayal cuts deep. What I admire most is that he doesn’t react recklessly. He chooses restraint. He chooses responsibility. That says a lot about who he is becoming.

[Natalie Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book made me see Darcy in a much more human way. Behind the proud and reserved gentleman is a young man who carries grief, responsibility, and quiet loneliness. Losing his parents so early and still trying to be strong for Georgiana made me feel a deep sympathy for him. It changed the way I understand his character.

[Penelope Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing I appreciate is that the book doesn’t rush Darcy’s transformation. His change takes time. After Elizabeth rejects him, you can sense the shift in his thinking. He starts questioning himself, his judgments, even the way he treats people. That gradual realization makes the second proposal feel genuine rather than dramatic.

[Deborah Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

For readers who adore Pride and Prejudice, Darcy has always been a fascinating figure. We begin the story disliking him, only to discover later that our first impressions were incomplete.
This novel deepens that realization. Through Darcy’s inner thoughts, we see the insecurities he hides, the expectations he carries as master of Pemberley, and the quiet loyalty he feels toward his sister.

[Felicity Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something deeply satisfying about returning to a beloved literary world and discovering that there are still new perspectives to explore. That is exactly what Mr. Darcy Through the Looking Glass accomplishes. For readers of JAFF and lovers of Pride and Prejudice, this book feels like an invitation to look again at a story we thought we knew completely.

[John peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll be honest stepping into a reimagining of Mr. Darcy isn’t something I took lightly. As someone who respects Pride and Prejudice, I wasn’t looking for a rewrite or a dramatic twist. What I found instead was something quieter and, in many ways, more powerful.

[DEN LORRIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

The suggestion that his heart was touched before he fully understood love resonates differently when you’ve lived a full life. Many of us, if we are honest, can look back and recognize moments that shaped us long before we had the language to explain them. That element felt believable and tender.

[DAVE TOE · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story doesn’t try to outdo Austen. It quietly deepens what was already there. And in doing so, it reminds us that strength isn’t about appearing unshakable, it’s about having the courage to face what you feel, even when no one else sees it.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tender and thoughtful exploration of a beloved man’s inner life. It reminds us that even the strongest hearts carry hidden softness and that love, when finally understood, is worth every moment of waiting.(men)

[Javier · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is also a quiet loneliness throughout the story that touched me. Despite privilege and strength, Darcy feels isolated in ways that are subtle but powerful. It reminds us that admiration from the world does not replace emotional connection.

[Elisabeth Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m especially drawn to the idea that his heart may have been stirred long before he understood what love truly was. That detail adds depth and makes me reconsider the version of him I thought I already knew.

[Catherine Monroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a reflective and emotional look into Mr. Darcy’s inner life. It explores his grief after losing his parents, his struggle with responsibility, and the quiet vulnerability behind his pride

[Benjamin Ashford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wickham’s betrayal and Darcy’s sense of duty are well-handled, but I occasionally felt the story played things too safely. It respects the original character deeply, which is admirable, yet it rarely takes bold emotional risks that might have made the experience unforgettable.

[Alexander Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books entertain you. Some books revisit a familiar world. And then there are rare ones that quietly reach inside you and rearrange how you see a character you thought you already understood. This is one of those books.